37 Days (2014) s01e02 Episode Script

One Week in July

Is this it?
This is it, Foreign Secretary.
Crowe's already here?
He arrived 20 minutes ago, sir.
Oh, for God's sake.
Sorry your weekend has been ruined,
sir. Well, yours too, Alec.
Austria's mad. I should issue
a communique saying just that.
Good afternoon, Foreign Secretary.
"Britain says Austria mad.
Official!"
I was embarrassed to read
the Serb note.
It was like seeing a servant cringe.
It WAS submissive.
Serbia has agreed to practically
every demand Austria makes of her.
And gets this in return!
It's a grotesque diplomatic
exchange, Foreign Secretary.
What does Austria want?
I mean, what does she want?
It is sometimes better to forget
everything we think we know
and look instead at what is, er,
staring us in the face.
Austria doesn't want to talk.
She wants a war in the Balkans.
I want to speak to that idiot
Mensdorff.
Get the Austrian Ambassador.
Yes, sir.
'I tell you, it's not often you see
the Foreign Office in disarray
'but it was this day.
'Four weeks ago, we discovered
that the Archduke Franz Ferdinand,
'heir to the Austrian throne,
'had been assassinated while
on a visit to Sarajevo in Bosnia.
'The assassin, Gavrilo Princip,
was a Serb nationalist
'who believed that acts of terror
'would drive the Austrians
out of the Balkans.
'Butstudent fanatic?
A nonentity?'
Is this important enough to
disturb the Foreign Secretary? No.
What position would Britain take
if a conflict would break
out between Austria and Serbia?
'Well, I suppose it doesn't take
much to set the Balkans on fire.
'In Berlin, it was frantic too.
'Austria was our ally
'and Franz Ferdinand was a personal
friend of our Kaiser.'
There's no crime greater.
'The Habsburg Empire had been
crumbling for years
'and now the Kaiser said
that had to stop.'
Serbia must learn to fear
the Habsburgs again.
'The Kaiser told our Austrian
friends to punish the Serbs.
'They sent a long
list of demands instead.'
'We got them in London.
What extreme demands they were.'
This is an astonishing ultimatum.
'It was obvious to everybody that
Serbia could not meet those demands.
'That in fact,
they were designed to be rejected.
'But then, Serbia DID meet them,
'only to find that the Austrians
were still not satisfied.
'And that's why the Austrian
ambassador had been
'summoned to the Foreign Office
this morning.'
You ought to be wearing body armour.
I want an explanation.
Austria is unhappy with the Serbian
response to our list of demands
and therefore has issued
an ultimatum.
I said I want an explanation,
not a reiteration of the absurd
sequence of events
of the last 12 hours.
Austria is unhappy.
That IS the explanation.
Were you surprised by the compliance
of the Serbian government?
But we don't see it as a compliance.
They will extradite any government
official you wish to charge
in connection with
the assassination.
Censor their newspapers,
overhaul their school curriculum,
punish anyone who
denigrates your royal family.
Er, do you want me to go on?
We see these things
more likecosmetic.
But you asked for them!
And you didn't expect them
to comply, did you?
Let me remind you of how
post-Napoleonic diplomacy works.
Are you listening?
I am all ears.
We statesmen,
we occasionally conceal things
from each other,
we dissemble, we act hypocritically
when consistency or sincerity would
be either dangerous or hurtful.
We don't always tell the whole truth,
but we don't exactly lie.
But what we've never done is pretend
the other fellow is a fool.
Or that black is white
when everyone can see that it isn't.
Because if we did that,
the whole system,
the concert that has kept
the peace in Europe,
kept even the superannuated
Austrian Empire afloat
would begin to break down.
We don't regard it as compliance.
You must have loved
the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We did.
I mean, really loved him.
He was the heir to our throne.
Heir to the throne!
He was despised in Vienna.
His poor Czech wife even more so.
They treated her like a waitress.
Look, I'm serious. They did.
I thought you said the Serbs
had bent over backwards.
Vienna wants humiliation.
And bending over backwards
ISN'T humiliating?
You should try it one day, Winston.
And if I were you,
I'd start watching Russia now.
Humiliating little Serbia
is one thing.
Humiliating her protector
is quite another.
She's right about that.
Be careful of Winston.
He's smelling blood.
Why is Vienna suddenly unafraid
of Russia? That is the question.
I disagree.
With what?
I think it's the wrong question.
You don't want to hear my answer.
Oh, yes. I know your answer.
Which is that Austria is acting as
if Russia doesn't exist,
because she's already taken out
an insurance policy in Berlin.
An insurance policy?
You think Austria and Germany
are in cahoots over this?
Your evidence?
Winston, I can see what
Edward's getting at.
We don't yet know what the Germans
think of this latest
development and it's always been a
point of principle in this country
not to reduce everything to the
workings of the alliances.
That way the logic of war always
gets the upper hand.
It's my sense that Austria cannot
see beyond her quarrel with Serbia.
It's what happens to great powers
when they shrink.
The world shrinks with them
and then they cease to
think about consequences.
You don't believe that Austria's
alliance with Germany means
anything?
Don't be obtuse, Winston.
No-one has said that.
I would like to propose
a round-table conference
here in London,
to be attended by the ambassadors
of the disinterested parties.
If we start talking, Austria will be
forced to join the conversation.
How many days do we have before
Austria actually declares war?
Well, that depends
on the state of their army
and how well they've digested
this year's conscripts.
Perhaps, well, four days,
maybe a week.
It's crucial for Germany
to be involved in any conference.
Unthinkable without her.
You can manage that?
I believe so. We have more than
a few carrots to offer.
There should be a stick too.
You will discover tomorrow morning
that Winston Churchill
has ordered the entire fleet
to remain at Spithead.
I see.
It's a precautionary thing.
I mean, the ships are there
already for the Grand Naval Review,
as you know.
They just haven't gone home.
You don't have to threaten us
into a conference, Edward.
I know that.
Germany is open to the
idea of a collective solution
to the Balkan problem.
It is an opportunity,
I think, for Britain
and Germany to cooperate at last.
Hmm Austria will have to suspend
its military operations first.
Naturally.
But ifWHEN that happens,
I will be prepared to host a peace
conference straightaway.
And I will inform my government
straightaway.
Thank you.
I ought to say, Max,
there is an opinion amongst us
that a possible reason for Austria's
reckless behaviour
is the tacit support
she enjoys from Germany.
I can see how the impression might
have arisen
amongst some of you.
Vienna may have got used to us
backing them
and perhaps that has made them
as they are. Reckless.
Your superior said so.
And I will admit that possibility,
but of course, that is
quite a different thing from saying
she receives our encouragement.
What is it?
I admire Prince Lichnowsky
and I think he's sincere.
I know that sentence. It's always
followed by its opposite.
Oh, come on, Crowe.
Tell me why I shouldn't
place my faith in Lichnowsky.
I'm not sure Berlin listens to him.
'He was listened to.
'Lichnowsky had
Edward Grey's confidence, after all.
'But was he respected?'
KNOCK AT DOOR
Yes, please?
Excuse me, sir
'Not by our Chancellor,
Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg.'
From our ambassador in London, sir.
This has just arrived?
Yes, sir, seven minutes ago.
'They agreed on so little.'
Get me the Foreign Minister.
Yes, sir.
Of course, it's a perfectly
reasonable proposal.
Grey is a reasonable man.
If I were in his position,
I would propose an international
tribunal, too.
Perhaps we should accept.
Say that again?
We should accept.
Would you like to explain
to the Kaiser when he gets back
from his holiday tomorrow,
what has happened to his plan?
"Not a crashing military victory
for our Austrian ally,
Your Majesty,
"but a diplomatic triumph for
Sir Edward Grey and the British."
No, I would not want to be
the one to say that.
And that's why it will not be said.
We must therefore reject
Edward Grey's offer.
Something to the effect that Austria
would find it Insupportable?
"Humiliating".
It would be humiliating for
a great power like Austria
to be subjected to the decisions
of an international tribunal.
But what if the Austrians agree
to Grey's proposal?
They won't.
You seem very sure.
We won't let them.
But tell Lichnowsky we are
sympathetic to the idea.
He'll want to cultivate it anyway.
We can use him to get the English
off our backs for 48 hours or so.
And the Kaiser?
There is no proposal from Britain.
There never has been.
'Kaiser Wilhelm knew nothing
of the diplomatic events
'of the past two weeks.
'He'd been on his vacation'
GUNSHOTS
'..looking at the Norwegian fjords.'
'The world he expected to return to
'was one in which Serbia had been
handsomely crushed by Austria
'while our most feared enemy,
Russia,
'stood staring at a brilliant
fait accompli.
'Of course, none of that
had happened.'
Did you know that Norwegians read
more than any other
people in the world?
I have heard something
of the sort, Your Majesty.
Of course you have.
You know everything.
I didn't know it, though.
It was very disappointing.
Norway, Your Majesty?
Norway? Why do you want to
talk about Norway?
Austria! That's disappointing.
The Austrian army is still not
in Belgrade.
Completely disappointing!
Not yet, Your Majesty.
"Not yet". I am assured by
the Austrian Ambassador
In fact, they decided to
mobilise their army yesterday
so it's little wonder
they're "not yet" in Belgrade.
The day before yesterday,
Your Majesty,
but very late indeed, sir.
Later than we expected.
Later than I wanted!
GUNSHOTS
What did I tell him,
Jagow, before I took my vacation?
You were there.
You said you wanted things
to happen quickly.
A quick, clean war.
Over before the Russians
know it's even begun. Yes?
Yes, you did say that, Your Majesty.
And now the Russians
will get all agitated,
which I think I expressly
said I did not want.
And this morning I arrive
back in Berlin to discover
that the British have their navy
on high alert. Brilliant!
I will resign.
No, you won't! You've cooked
this broth. You will eat it.
What is especially humiliating
is that the Serbs are now
laughing at us.
You've seen their reply
to the Austrian note?
I'd appreciate it if you left me
to finish my breakfast.
'Now, in the days following
Austria's rejection
'of the Serbian reply,
we found ourselves asking,
' "What will Russia do?
What will Russia do?" '
Foreign Secretary?
Not now! What is it? And why have
you not come to me? Ssh!
'Russia, our absolutist ally,
was a perennial mystery to us.
'We'd been friends with Russia
since 1907
'and that was a good thing in Asia.
'It stopped us bickering
about India and Afghanistan.
'But in Europe?'
Ready.
That's it, sir.
What is it?
'Well, it meant we were now
underwriting
'the decisions
of a very erratic ally.'
It's the Russian army.
The Tsar appears to have ordered
a section of it to mobilise
in the southern districts facing
the Austrian Empire.
What in God's name has
he done that for? I don't know.
It's, it's not been
confirmed yet, of course.
Well, I just have to hope
your sources are as wretched
as they usually are.
It's a precautionary thing, I'm sure.
At any rate, it will take
four weeks to come to fruition.
But they've just
wrecked my peace conference.
Well, perhaps you won't need it.
Nothing will bring Austria
to her senses quicker
than Britain
supporting its Russian ally.
How much more belligerent do you
think the Tsar will become
if he imagines the Royal Navy
and a British Expeditionary Force
are at his disposal?
But, Foreign Secretary,
it's the effect on Germany
that's the relevant thing.
Germany wants to take
part in my conference.
We don't need a conference.
The quickest way to influence
Austria is to frighten Germany.
The best way to frighten Germany
is to support Russia!
The key to this problem is to
cut across international rivalries,
not reinforce them.
I'm seeing the Russian
Ambassador in
It's a quarter to six.
Right, well, now, in actual fact.
He's getting the deluxe treatment.
I'm taking him to see
the Prime Minister.
Good! But I think you should know
the man on the Russia desk is saying
that you don't take their
concerns seriously.
I'm not here to please
the Russian desk.
They're turning into bloody
Russians in there, by the way.
I'm an elected politician.
I know that.
And I answer to Parliament.
Of course. But do not alienate
Russia over this, sir.
If we fail to bend a little
towards her here,
she will make things
difficult for us in India.
'Of course, the thing about our
Russian alliance, the awkward thing,
'was that it tied us to this man -
Tsar Nicholas II.
'No-one ever knew what
he was going to say next.
'He was whimsical and unpredictable,
as powerful men often are,
'answering only to God,
'but capable
of acting like God, too.
'Now, the man in charge of his war
machine was
'General Vladimir Sukhomlinov.'
Enfilade fire from this direction!
'Here he is, re-enacting
the 1812 Battle of Borodino.'
And it was here that Kutuzov
deployed the guards.
'All part of the young prince's
tuition, you understand,
'and the royal family's
general entertainment,
'and this woman,
who hates the Battle of Borodino,
'is General Sukhomlinov's
young wife.'
No, Alexei. That's the infantry.
You never find horses in a trench.
'This man now had 13 army corps
moving towards the Austrian Empire.
'And this was not a pleasant
thought for us in London,
'for we are talking one million,
one hundred thousand men.'
We had to show our support
for the Serbs.
There would be a rebellion in Russia
if we didn't. Rubbish!
We both know that's not true,
Count Benckendorff.
Are you saying that the
Russian does not care at all
about his Serb brother?
I'm saying most Russians will
have more luck
locating Serbia on a map,
with a blindfold and a pin.
Count,
let's not forget how we got here.
Austria's case against your Serb
friends is that they provide
a safe haven for Bosnian terrorists.
Well, we all deplore that, I think.
We do have a little difficulty
understanding why
Russia has felt it necessary to
mobilise her army.
It's the same thing as you did
yesterday with the Royal Navy!
It's not the same thing at all!
But it is!
This is NOT a mobilisation.
In our administrative
departments
it is called
"a period preparatory to war".
Are you impressed with those
apostrophes, Edward?
Edward is not impressed.
You see, Count, playing with the word
cannot alter the fact
that, quite soon,
you will have over one million
men at arms
moving towards the Austrian frontier.
You object to us "mobilising"
an army that will take ten days
to assume a proper war footing?
Not four weeks?
There is an old idea,
William Gladstone's idea.
It says that our two countries
sit on the edges of Europe
and if we should ever fall out
The lands in between should fall
under the dominion of Germany.
You need only affirm your friendship
to Russia - tonight -
and you will see the Austrians
pull in their horns.
And the Germans, too.
We know also that our two empires
are drawing ever closer
together in Asia.
Soon, it is likely
that our cartographers shall collide
not far from the North West Frontier
of India.
It would be a shame, would it not,
if our grenadiers collided, too?
When you are so close together,
and you are not friends,
it is very
difficult to avoid friction.
Now that sounded
almost like a threat.
Those were your Foreign Secretary's
words to me, not five years ago.
Which is why we became friends.
And why now,
we have to help each other!
Foreign Secretary.
Prime Minister.
He said, "ten days".
'We in Berlin were shocked
by the Russian mobilisation, too.
'That had not
been in the Kaiser's plan.
'But his Chief
of Staff, General Moltke?
'I don't think Moltke was shocked.'
The Tsar has mobilised
his southern army districts.
That's technically 1.1 million men,
perhaps a little less, knowing Ivan.
You can always count on 10%
being curled up in a ditch
with the vodka bottle, huh?
But big numbers, nonetheless.
More than Austria can handle.
So a stalemate?
Well, that depends on what we do.
Think of it from my point of view.
I'm paid to be suspicious.
So, then, how am I meant to know that
these Russian troops
are destined
for the Austrian border?
How can I be sure that these troops
aren't being sent
here, or here, or here,
to OUR borders?
Well, I suppose in this
I can't!
So are we not entitled
to mobilise an army, too?
For defensive purposes?
Well, I would rather think
the Kaiser would wish
to retain that prerogative.
It would be an excellent thing
if Russia could be encouraged
to move to a general mobilisation.
Get all her men in the field.
We will see it one day,
whether we like it or not.
Rather it happens now
than in five or ten years' time,
when the scales tip towards Russia.
Think of all this double track
railway line
laid through
Poland, coming our way.
Theirs is a partial mobilisation,
Not a general one.
But a general one wouldn't be
difficult to provoke, would it?
I always expected to lose your magic
powers when we deprive you of those.
We do! We are at your mercy now.
There can't be a powerful Russia
and a powerful
Germany on the same continent!
One has to submit.
But let me give you a statistic.
Something that will reduce this
monstrous Cossack to human size.
At the present moment
the Russian Empire
has possession of 4,000 machine guns.
The German Empire has 24,000.
We know why we have
so many precious weapons of war.
Because we are industrious
and we are prudent.
But why does Russia have so few?
Once you know the answer
to that question,
you have stopped
fearing the Cossack.
The reason why Russia
lacks machine guns
is that General Sukhomlinov's pretty
young wife adores Faberge eggs.
Where is he going with this?
I don't know.
So, old Sukhomlinov,
who is famously uxorious,
finds that to love his wife
is to empty his wallet.
And that is why the old general
took a back-hander
from Vickers of England, to supply
all of Russia's machine guns.
But Vickers' machine guns
are three times the price
of those produced in Moscow.
Here's another statistic.
We have 381 batteries
of heavy artillery. They have 60!
And their forts?
They are not forts. They are museums!
And don't tell me about the Russian
"steam roller", gentlemen.
It doesn't exist! It's a fantasy.
But
But be careful.
Eventually, old Suko will be
put out to grass
and will be replaced by a moderniser
with a modest wife.
If that happens tomorrow,
it is likely that, by 1917,
Russia will have parity with us.
Imagine that!
Imagine a Balkan crisis where they,
not we, have the whip hand.
Gentlemen.
It's us or them.
The Teuton or the Slav.
We all know it.
Through no machinations of our own,
we are now being offered the chance
by very reasonable terms, to settle
that account once and for ever.
On Russia, I have similar
thoughts to you.
I've often said
we overestimate their strength.
So it was like listening
to my own voice in there.
I make no claims to originality.
But you failed to mention the French.
The French alliance with Russia.
Isn't that the key?
A Russian entry into a Balkan war
would mean a French
entry into a Balkan war.
And at that point, we wouldn't be
calling it "Balkan war" any more.
I've just told you why
you shouldn't fear Russia.
I'm too in need of dinner right now
to tell you why you shouldn't
fear France.
It's not a question of fear,
of course.
You will manage France, if the time
comes. I'm sure of that.
It is important we maintain
the European equipoise.
You do agree with that?
As you say.
'We have a political
system in Germany
'where power is
concentrated at the top.
'One of the tragedies of July 1914
was that the man at the very top
'always seemed to be reacting
to yesterday's news.'
While Moltke's mind was turning
towards a general war with Russia,
'the Kaiser was still trying
to control
'Austria's local war with Serbia.'
Every cause for war has vanished.
Your Majesty?
Every cause. Gone!
What do you call this?
It's the Serb reply
to the Austrian demands.
They agreed to everything.
Everything. A total capitulation!
I thought you said
What? What did I say?
I was under the impression
you had read the Serb reply
before we met at
breakfast yesterday.
Why on earth would you think that?
It was in front of you
on the breakfast table.
This whole thing
wouldn't be such a mess
if Austria had simplyif things
had been done
as I said they should be done!
You've had the time, Bethmann.
Do we change course, Your Majesty?
No.
Get Austria into Belgrade!
They can hold the city until
the Serbs do all those things
they now say they are willing to do!
Yes, sir.
But it must be done immediately!
Yes, sir.
Message to Vienna.
Yes, sir.
I take the liberty of submitting
for the consideration
of Your Imperial Majesty
No. No, no, no, no.
The INDULGENCE
of Your Imperial Majesty
'Franz Josef, the Austrian Emperor,
'signing a declaration
of war against Serbia.
'Look at his face.
'He might be signing an ordinance to
permit electric street-lighting
'in distant Budapest or lifting
a ban on linen trading in Krakow.
'What he's actually doing is
signing his own death warrant
'and that of his dynasty.'
CHEERING
'The Kaiser had finally
got his little Balkan war.
'That evening the first Austrian
bombs fell on Belgrade.'
BOMBS EXPLODE
BELL TOLLS
The Serbian government has left
Belgrade, apparently.
To avoid capture.
I see. Of course we're still waiting
to hear
officially from the Austrian
embassy.
So the international conference
It's dead.
Yes, I suppose so.
Can't imagine how that happened.
I thought we hadan agreement.
You've been played Edward.
And very clever play.
You have to admire Berlin. Berlin?
They've used
Prince Lichnowsky like a sewer.
A conduit to send
all their shit our way.
Don't feel sorry for yourself.
You've only lost one wicket.
The game's still
trembling in the balance.
That's true.
Do remember that affability is
not a strategy Edward.
Now's the time to put British
power into the scales.
No more pretending we're
just the umpire.
I'll see myself out.
You told me Berlin was going to put
its weight behind a peace conference.
But, Edward, that was before
we realised that the Russians
were mobilising their army.
Against Austria, not Germany.
I'm told they have enough troops
to worry us both.
They fear your mobilisation
too, of course.
But Germany has not mobilised.
Yes, yes. But they fear the speed
with which you can
Therefore they are obliged to act
now for fear of being
overwhelmed later.
I understand the point.
Crowe, could I have a moment alone
with Prince Lichnowsky?
You're shaken by this too.
I can tell.
What do we do, Max?
I believe that once the Austrians
have captured Belgrade
the Kaiser will want
diplomacy to take over.
I feel I have been misled
once by Germany.
I can appreciate that.
But it's not by design.
Please believe me.
Very well.
Once Austria has crossed the Danube,
let the Kaiser propose
a plan for mediation. You know,
I am not
jealous about my role in this or
precious about ownership.
I know you're not.
No, we are happy to fall in with
whatever he suggests.
We could call it
'The German Peace Plan'.
Oh, that would bevery
helpful to His Majesty.
We are friends, aren't we?
Most certainly we are friends.
So, I am telling you this
because we are friends
and I wouldn't want our intimacy
to lead you astray.
If France is drawn into this
conflict
France?
As Russia's ally, it is possible.
Unlikely, for a Balkan question.
But still possible.
And if France is drawn in, it may be
difficult for Britain to
stand aside.
He will warn his government.
Britain in earnest.
Mediation must succeed.
' "Britain in earnest."
'Of course that alarmed the Kaiser.
'He thought of his cousin,
Tsar Nicholas of Russia.'
Knees up!
'And wondered if the two of them
'might not stop their respective
military machines.'
Halt!
'What a sad dialogue
they embarked on.'
Salute!
Dear, Nicky,
we have a common interest
as sovereigns to ensure that all
persons morally
responsible for the murder
Dear, Willy, the indignation
in Russia, fully shared by me,
is enormous.
I foresee a time when I shall be
forced to take extreme
measures which will lead to war.
Dear, Nicky, the whole
weight of the decision lies
solely on your shoulders now.
Dear, Willy, I shall be overwhelmed
by pressure to go to war,
I appeal to you to help me.
Dear, Nicky.
Dear, Willy.
Dear, Nicky.
'And on it went.' Dear, Willy.
'Two sovereigns
living in a world of make believe.
'That evening Russia moved to
full mobilisation
'and all her reservists
were called up.
'That night Moltke sent
a cable to Vienna.
'Proceed to full
mobilisation. Do not fear Russia.'
'But Bethmann sent one to the
Austrians too.
'To open hostilities with Russia, he
said, would be a serious error.'
Sincerely, so on and so on.
'Two conflicting voices.
Whose would be louder?'
'We knew nothing about those two
telegrams, of course.
'But the full Russian mobilisation
we did know about.
'We also knew that it meant France
was now in danger of being
'drawn into the conflict.'
France has arrived!
I always expect him to dance in.
I rather doubt he'll
be in the mood for that.
'This was France in the shape
of Ambassador Paul Cambon.
'Gallic on the surface.
'Gallic to the core.
'But there were many in the foreign
office who joked that
'Monsieur Cambon was
representing Russia too.
'For in 1892 the impossible had
happened.
'Republican France,
'home to the Revolution, had signed
a treaty with Tsarist Russia,
'the symbol of despotic tyranny.
'Why had they done this?
'Fear!
'Fear that they might be overwhelmed
again by the German army.'
The foreign secretary will see you
now, Your Excellency.
'So now, if Russia went to war
'it was likely that France would do
so too.'
If France follows
Russia into a Balkan war it will be
difficult for Britain to
follow France.
I know that sounds blunt.
But I think it's important
to be clear.
So there's no room
for misunderstanding later.
Germany, happily,
will postpone its own mobilisation
until we have absolutely exhausted
efforts at mediation.
But in the light of Russia's
actions, we are asking rather
a lot of them I feel.
It does sound blunt.
Ah, for a moment there I thought
you'd taken a vow of silence, Paul.
There is a war party in Germany.
He knows it. I know it too.
But if France throws the fat
in the fire by following Russia, it
will simply encourage that
war party.
Don't you think?
How easy it is to be
complacent about Germany
when you are protected
by the Channel.
My dear fellow, it's not
the Channel that protects us.
It's the Navy.
Theirs is no ordinary
mobilisation, of course.
The Russian railway system
Is prehistoric.
It would be quicker to get their men
to the front in horse and cart.
And therefore there is no
need for us to panic.
Who panics here?
I'm saying we should not be hasty.
The French will be.
It's their nature.
But France has not mobilised.
On the contrary, I received
a piece of information today
which I wish to share with you.
On an initiative from the French
foreign ministry to eliminate
potential sources of friction
all French military personnel
have retreated
ten kilometres from the Franco-German
frontier, as from this morning.
They're getting some practice in.
Shut up!
The French have not mobilised.
Not yet.
So, you are asking us to threaten
someone in advance of them
possibly threatening us?
Yes. Yes, I am.
What are you planning?
Either Germany fills her
lungs or she dies.
This is the law of nations.
International life is
a constant struggle to breathe.
You want to invade France?
And then we'll deal with
the Russians.
Is this vanity?
It won't be like your uncle's
day Moltke.
I thought as a military man you
might have noticed
the line of concrete forts they've
built since 1870.
Toul, Moulainville, Douaumont
Very good Bethmann.
You should set this to music.
..Verdun.
Verdun. Oui, oui, pas oublier
Verdun.
Are we just to ignore these
fortifications?
Pretend they are not there?
They do not exist?
We could spare France, of course,
and concentrate on Russia.
But Paris would have to agree to
certain conditions.
Those, I've already outlined
to our friends in London.
You're talking to London?
They will receive my note
tomorrow morning.
TELEGRAPH MESSAGES TAP
BELL TOLLS
Thank you.
Quite incredible.
Germany is practically
asking for the keys to France.
If France agrees to remain
neutral in the event
of a German-Russian war it gets
as its reward from Germany, what?
The German occupation
of the fortresses of Verdun
and Toul for the duration
of that war!
They don't seem to know the
difference between a threat and a
bribe.
It's intended to provoke
a French mobilisation.
Not convinced. It is, Edward.
It would be like them telling us
"We won't attack you, but Winston
"here must allow German sailors to
take command of the Royal Navy."
You all keep saying
"they" or "them".
How do you know it's not
the work of just one man?
And rogues have loud voices. Doesn't
mean they speak for everyone.
HE GRUMBLES
I beg your pardon?
I think we must share this
with the Cabinet.
They will be waiting, Winston.
The German proposal is inept.
Of course it is.
But the principle
But the principle
behind it is not a bad one.
What is this principle, Mr
Chancellor? That we stuff our ally?
Very good, Winston.
But the principle that Mr Burns here
is talking about is one
of separating any war in the east
from any likely conflict in the west.
Building a cavity wall
between the two.
The sensible thing would be to send
France a signal that we do not
share her enthusiasm
for war. That we rein her in.
Or leave her high and dry?
France is our, ourour ally,
we do have certain obligations.
We have an "understanding" with her.
That's putting it rather
mildly, Lord Morley.
It is an "understanding".
That's the way the Foreign Secretary
described the Entente Cordiale
when it was first dreamt up.
But exactly what this
"understanding" entails we
around this table don't quite know.
There's nothing that you're
concealing from us
is there, Sir Edward?
Please
Sir Edward is still in cabinet.
But I could have some tea
brought for you.
Thank you.
HE LAUGHS
Have you been waiting long?
Oh, only since 1870.
For two years, Your Majesty,
if we all adjust our diet a little.
That's with grain from our own
fields.
We may acquire fields
elsewhere, of course.
You mean in Russia.
Russiaeventually.
He's talking about France.
I wonder, Your Majesty, do you know
how many ministers of war
the French Republic has
had in the last 43 years?
I will not guess.
But I am sure my chancellor here
will know the answer.
That is correct. 42 ministers
of war in 43 years.
And they wonder
why their army is a rabble.
But it isn't.
Bethmann Hollweg the soldier.
Your Majesty,
he wants to declare war on France!
I don't want to.
But I think a war between us
is bound to happen.
He wants to.
And I will tell you this -
Britain will not stay neutral in a
war that takes in France!
Britain is not
capable of getting involved.
She cannot spare the troops.
He means Ireland.
She will risk how many divisions
on the Continent? Four? Five?
They would get swept
up in the general rout.
This is irresponsible talk.
Gentlemen, it's a
beautiful summer's evening
and I think we deserve some
refreshments.
You have to say it would teach
the British a thing or two.
Well, if you insist on making
war on the Continent then
don't just send a few outriders,
do it properly.
I would ask the Cabinet
for authorisation to move
to a full mobilisation
of the Royal Navy.
Do that and I go!
Oh, John
I'm sorry, Prime Minister,
but that is gunboat diplomacy.
Any fool can make an heroic gesture,
but let's not confuse that with,
with a bid for peace.
Hear, hear.
Liberalism's has got to mean
something more intelligent
than pulling the gun out every time
you're in a quarrel.
It's an accompaniment, John,
to what I'm doing.
We'll keep on talking.
I would offer my resignation, too,
Prime Minister.
And I.
Prime Minister, you will not take the
Liberal Party with you
into a European war.
But can I suggest this?
We have evidently lost control of
what is taking place
between Austria and Russia.
But we are still capable of
influencing
what is happening between
Germany and France.
That is where our peacemaking
efforts should now be.
Sir Edward?
I should like to make a telephone
call to the German Ambassador.
Your Excellency, Sir Edward is on the
Number Ten telephone
and would like to speak with you.
You must promise not to
attack France.
That is key
in the event of a
Russian-German conflict breaking out.
PHONES RINGING
Do you understand?
And we will undertake to guarantee
..that Britain and France
will not attack Germany in return.
The French have agreed to this?
What? July.
The French have?
Oh, that is correct.
Then I will take responsibility
for saying now
that the German government will
respond positively, pleasurably
to your initiative.
Sir Edward?
Um
Sir Edward Grey's proposal is to be
commended
for guaranteeing the security
..of our border with France.
What did you say to Germany?
You have sold us, I can tell.
Crowe, please, will you join us?
I have not sold you.
It is simply this.
The Cabinet feels Britain
has no interest
in what is essentially an
Austro-Russian dispute in the east.
France, of course has her
alliance with Russia,
the provisions of which
we know nothing about
and we cannot allow ourselves to be
the tail to Russia's comet.
You have sold us!
We haven't.
Each day we delay our mobilisation
we lose the equivalent of 25km of
French territory
if war does break about.
Well, I appreciate France's restraint
and would urge her to continue on
that course.
How many French lives will it take
to get each of those 25km back?
Paul Are you going to wait until
France is violated before you act?
You must make your own decision
and not reckon on British assistance.
We, for our part,
will continue to explore peace
initiatives with Germany.
This evening the word "honour"
will be struck from the
English dictionary.
I thought
he would be a little more pliable.
He's distraught, of course.
I think the French will back down.
I think they'll see sense.
Can I ask you, sir
what precisely did you say to
Prince Lichnowsky on the telephone?
I, um, I told him
I'm not entirely sure, Crowe.
That's rather awkward.
Everyone thinks I have the power to
invent new facts
when the old ones become dangerous.
They think if they tell me their
predicament,
it will disappear.
To them you are Great Britain.
You hold immense power.
I am also just Edward Grey.
'The Kaiser ordered the mobilisation
of our army
'against Russia that evening.'
'And then, France also mobilised.'
If the iron dice roll,
may God help us.
Trains must leave every 90 seconds.
No delays. No excuses.
'A million of our soldiers would
soon be on the move.
'And I would be one of them.'
We think we are good at this.
Let us prove it.
'But then suddenly,
out of the clear blue sky,
'came Edward Grey's peace plan.
'The one he proposed on the
telephone to Prince Lichnowsky.
'It arrived in Berlin just
23 minutes
'after the Kaiser had signed our
mobilisation papers.'
Open those doors
and bring champagne.
What is it?
The best champagne. What is it?
Gentleman, I just received word
from Prince Lichnowsky in London.
"French and"
Chancellor, you represent the
civilian arm of Germany.
You read it.
"French and British
neutrality guaranteed
"if Germany refrains
from attacking France."
Only Russia is left in the field.
I have 25,000 trains in motion.
Will Russia back down now also?
She might well do that.
25,000 trains are moving westwards.
They don't have brakes?
Our forward units are about to
enter Luxembourg.
Then stop them, Moltke, and deploy
the entire army to the east!
I can't, it's too late.
It's a command, you half-wit.
Stop them and turn
the army to the east.
Let's go!
To England. To Sir Edward Grey.
It will be complete chaos!
The whole world will be
thrown into chaos!
CLOCK CHIMES
The army.
You said the whole world.
It's just the army.
It is simple, Moltke.
Applaud this man's
superb diplomacy
..and then begin
shifting your men to the east.
We'll discuss reservations once
you've finished.
Well, on with it,
mobilise yourself first.
This isn't leadership.
You might start by getting those
Luxembourg patrols back
before they do some damage.
It isn't.
Even with that absurd
marshal's batten in your hand.
Moltke!
Your one good hand.
'When do wars start?
'When a declaration is signed?
Or when an embassy is closed?
'Or do we delude ourselves that
these formalities
'are what count?'
'I know this.
'Our fellows were not meant to
be in Luxembourg on August 1st.
'We had not declared an argument
with that country,
'let alone declared a war.
'Yet, at seven in the evening
'a detachment of the
69th Infantry Regiment
'crossed over into Luxembourg.'
MAN GROANS
'They were under the command
of a Lieutenant Feldmann,
'who'd been told to seize
the town's telegraph office.'
'No casualties were suffered
that day
'unless you count Private Mayer
with his sprained ankle.'
'But this strange little engagement
was the curtain-raiser
'to an all-out war
on the Western Front.'
'Or it would have been,
had Sir Edward Grey's peace plan
'not reached Berlin just in time.'
'Feldmann was told to come home.
'The war in the west had been
cancelled.'
Scheisse.
Dear Georgie, having just
received the glorious communication
from your Government
offering French neutrality
under guarantee of Great Britain,
I am delighted to convey my own
government's enthusiasm
for the proposal.
How does an army of
several million men
defeat another army
of several million men?
I will likely resign from the
government if we enter this war.
For God's sake,
state the conditions under which
Britain will remain neutral.
That you do not go to war
with France.
Madness. They could have saved us.
Those German railway
platforms are now half a mile long.
German troops are heading towards
the Belgian border.
You'll be told there isn't
a better time to be young
and that you are the envy of those
too old to fight.
I've never seen myself as a soldier.
The immense expense of blood will,
in the end, be for nothing.
It is you who can stop it.